Annual Three Kings Day Celebration brings community and cultures together

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A camel teamed up with three Richland County Deputies who dressed up as the Three Wise Men for the annual “Three Kings Day” celebration also known as the Feast of the Epiphany.

In Latin culture, the day marks the adoration of baby Jesus by the Wise Men.

The event has been held at Richland County's Decker Center for 5 years now, between several organizations Like Latino Communications CDC and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department as a way to bring the community together, celebrate the worldwide holiday and to draw a focus to how other countries and cultures have helped shape Columbia.

"We are a country that is built on immigrants get the job done and this community is a melting pot the international corridor speaks to what Columbia is. This is one of the community efforts that really speaks to how this community is changing the face of who we are and how we represent the rest of the world," said Tanya Rodriguez-Hodges, an event organizer.

Organizers add that the event also allows the sheriff’s department to be part of the community and help build trust between law enforcement and citizens.

Organizers say there were about 600 people who attended the event today.